Brooke Hudson cultivates higher literacy as Eva media specialist

Lauren Estes-Velez

Hartselle Enquirer

Brooke Hudson has always been around education, as her mother is a teaching veteran of 31 years, so the decision to become a teacher wasn’t a tough one.

“As the daughter of a teacher, teaching has always been a profession I considered,” Hudson said. “As I began thinking about college, it just felt like the natural path to pursue. It involved all of the things I love, and it turned out to be the right place for me.”

There are lots of avenues, of course, to pursue a teaching career. Hudson soon found she wanted to be a very specific kind of teacher.

“I was in my student teaching when I knew I wanted to pursue a master’s degree in library media,” Hudson said. “It involves my passions of reading, technology and innovation. I truly believe I have the best job in the world.”

Hudson serves as the library media specialist at Eva School. She has excelled so highly in her position that she was named the 2017 Tennessee Valley Reading Council Reading Teacher of the Year. Humbled and grateful, Hudson said this is only the beginning of her career and she can’t wait to grow in her position and become an even better asset to Eva and the community.

“My goal for 2017 was to finish my Ed.S., which I completed in August,” Hudson said. “This school year, I am working to advance my partnerships with our teachers to better help our students grow.”

Along with being the library media specialist, Hudson holds several roles on her school campus and also at home.

“I also serve as the technology coordinator and yearbook sponsor and help with the cheerleaders,” Hudson said. “My husband, Wayne, and I live in Hartselle with our two dogs, Buddy and Marley. Aside from teaching I love to travel, read books, sing and spend time with friends and family.”

Following college graduation, Hudson jumped right into the workforce. She has thus far spent her teaching career in three Morgan County schools.

“This year marks my fifth year in education; I taught second grade at Priceville Elementary prior to becoming a media specialist,” Hudson said. “I was the library media specialist at Falkville Elementary for two years before coming to Eva School. This is my second year as the media specialist at Eva.”

Hudson said she sees a large number of students a day, varying in ages in her school position. There is one funny story that stands out to her more than the rest.

“I have many fond memories and a great love for my students,” Hudson said. “One of the funniest moments happened while I was the media specialist at Falkville. I was reading a story to a kindergarten class near the beginning of the year when the principal came in to see me for a moment. When he left, I asked the students if they knew who he was. One proud, young student happily shouted with his hands in the air, “He’s the president.” I still get a good laugh every time I think about that moment.”

A few of Hudson’s achievements, along with her 2017 Tennessee Valley Reading Council Reading Teacher of the Year award, including serving as a member of the American Association of School Librarians, the Alabama School Librarians Association, Alabama Leaders in the Educational Technology and the Tennessee Valley Reading Council. “I was also recently accepted into the ALET Technology Integration Coach Certification cohort,” Hudson said. 
Hudson earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Athens State University and master’s degree in library media from the University of West Alabama. Most recently, she earned her educational specialist degree in instructional technology from Auburn University in Montgomery.